Create Your First Python Program From UST from Coursera

Welcome to this Guided Project on Creating Your First Python Program, From UST.

For more than 20 years, UST has worked side by side with the world’s best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people and led by their purpose, they partner with clients from design to operation.

With this Guided Project from UST, you can quickly build in-demand job skills and expand your career opportunities in the Computer Science field by learning the foundational elements of the Python programming language and its basic syntax.

Python is a computer programming language often used to build websites and software, automate tasks, and conduct data analysis. Python is a general purpose language, meaning it can be used to create a variety of different programs and isn’t specialized for any specific problems. This versatility, along with its beginner-friendliness, has made it one of the most-used programming languages today.

Through hands-on, practical experience, you will be guided through concepts that Python Programmers use every day to perform their job duties, like using the Terminal and a Text Editor.

Together, we will explore how to use variables, create functions, lists and conditional statements, as well as utilize For and While loops. You will then apply the concepts to create your first command line application which will manage a To-Do List.

This project is great for learners who are looking to get started with Python programming, and do not have any prior programming experience. By the end of this Guided Project, you should feel more confident about working with the Python language, understanding what it is used for, and have confirmed your skills by creating your own to-do list, which can be used for showing an employer or making your routine daily tasks more efficient through automation.

Ready to become a Programmer? Start learning Python today!

What's inside

Syllabus

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores basic syntax, concepts, and hands-on applications of Python programming for beginners

Provides a step-by-step guide to creating a to-do list command line application in Python

Suitable for students with no prior programming experience looking to get started with Python

Offers practical experience through hands-on activities and exercises

Covers fundamental Python concepts such as variables, functions, lists, conditional statements, and loops

Taught by instructors from UST, a company with experience in digital transformation

Reviews summary

Foundational python for absolute beginners

According to students, this guided project is an excellent introduction to Python for absolute beginners, particularly those with no prior programming experience. Learners consistently praise the instructor's clear explanations and the hands-on activity of building a To-Do list, which effectively cements understanding and helps them feel accomplished. The course builds confidence, preparing students to explore more advanced topics. However, some find it a very basic introduction and surface-level content, noting that it may be too brief for some who expect more depth or have any prior programming background. Despite being concise, the course largely succeeds in providing a solid foundational understanding.

Pacing is generally good but can feel rushed for some.

"It's a bit fast-paced at times, but manageable if you pause and rewatch."

"Too basic for me, even though I'm a beginner. I found it rushed through some concepts."

"The explanations are clear but brief. I wanted more depth."

A brief, high-level introduction to core programming.

"If you have any prior programming experience, this will be too slow and redundant."

"An extremely short introduction. While it does get you to create a program, it's very surface-level."

"Don't expect to be a programmer after this, but it serves as a simple first step."

Concepts are applied through a relevant, hands-on project.

"The hands-on activity of building the To-Do list really cemented my understanding."

"The To-Do list application is a perfect first project that makes you feel like you've actually accomplished something."

"Good basic Python course. The project-based approach is effective. I found the explanations of conditional statements and loops particularly helpful."

Exceptionally well-suited for absolute beginners.

"As a complete beginner, the instructor's explanations were incredibly clear..."

"Absolutely brilliant for total beginners. The pace is perfect, not too slow, not too fast."

"I had zero coding experience and now I feel confident enough to try more advanced tutorials."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Create Your First Python Program From UST with these activities:

Read 'Automate the Boring Stuff with Python'

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This book provides a comprehensive introduction to Python, covering essential concepts and practical applications, enhancing your understanding of the course material.

View Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 3rd... on Amazon

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Read the book from cover to cover
Complete the exercises and projects in the book

Review Python Basics

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Review the basics of Python, including variables, data types, and control flow, to ensure a solid foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Python Basics

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Review online tutorials or documentation on Python basics
Complete practice exercises or coding challenges to test your understanding

Join a Python study group

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Connect with other learners who are also studying Python, share knowledge, and engage in collaborative problem-solving.

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Find or create a Python study group online or locally
Meet regularly to discuss course concepts, work on projects, and ask questions

Three other activities

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Contribute to open-source Python projects

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Engage with the Python community by contributing to open-source projects, enhancing your problem-solving skills and gaining real-world experience.

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Find open-source Python projects that align with your interests
Review the project documentation and codebase
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes or feature enhancements
Submit pull requests with your contributions

Build a Python project

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Apply your Python skills by building a project that solves a problem or demonstrates your understanding of the course concepts.

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Identify a problem or idea for a Python project
Plan and design the project, including the necessary modules and libraries
Implement the project by writing clean and efficient Python code
Test and debug the project to ensure it meets requirements
Document the project, including a readme file and comments

Mentor junior Python learners

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Share your knowledge and expertise by mentoring junior Python learners, reinforcing your understanding and solidifying your grasp of the course concepts.

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Volunteer or connect with organizations that provide mentoring opportunities
Provide guidance and support to junior learners as they work through Python concepts and projects

Career center

Learners who complete Create Your First Python Program From UST will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to collect, clean, and analyze data. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Data Analyst or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational Python knowledge and its applications in data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers use programming languages like Python to design, develop, test, and maintain software systems. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Software Engineer or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers use programming languages like Python to design, develop, and maintain websites. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Web Developer or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to collect, clean, and analyze data. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Data Scientist or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to develop and maintain machine learning models. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Machine Learning Engineer or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to analyze business data and make recommendations. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Business Analyst or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to develop and manage software products. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Product Manager or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to manage software development projects. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Project Manager or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to write technical documentation. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Technical Writer or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to analyze and design computer systems. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Computer Systems Analyst or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to manage and maintain databases. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Database Administrator or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to protect computer systems from unauthorized access. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become an Information Security Analyst or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Network Administrator

Network Administrators use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to manage and maintain computer networks. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Network Administrator or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to test and ensure the quality of software products. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. Whether your goal is to become a Quality Assurance Analyst or advance in your current role, this course will provide foundational knowledge in Python programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers use their knowledge of programming languages like Python to design and develop user interfaces. This course provides a solid foundation in Python, the basics of programming, data analysis, and data visualization. While not required, this course may be useful for User Experience Designers who want to expand their knowledge of programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer